City Frets Over America's Cup

There's a lot of logistics to figure out before the America's Cup finally hits in 2013, and if you've got any ideas the City would love to hear them.

San Francisco officials held a public meeting this week to discuss plans and ask citizens to help find solutions to various challenges.

At the top of many peoples' minds is the impact of the race to the environment. An environmental study is currently being rushed along at a breakneck pace, but numerous concerns have already been raised.

For example, the demolishing of piers along the edge of the city could release an invasive underwater weed, causing it to spread around the bay and choke out native flora.

At the meeting, speakers also addressed concerns that the race would get in the way of events at AT&T park, according to the Ex.

And then there's the “People Plan,” than ambitious blueprint for moving the throngs across the city. That plan calls for sweeping changes to various transit lines, and possibly even the extension of the F line all the way to Fort Mason.

Although such measures will likely be expensive, the America's Cup provides a unique opportunity to pursue funding that would never otherwise have been available. Corporate sponsors are eager to attach themselves to the race.

If you'd like to participate in the brainstorming around the event, visit www.americascup.com/sanfrancisco and send comments to [email protected].